Pete Carroll: Marshawn Lynch hasn't asked for reinstatement

While earlier reports suggested Marshawn Lynch could be making a return to the NFL, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is setting the record straight.

Lynch, who last played in 2015, has recently been rumored to be exploring a comeback to the NFL, potentially to play in his hometown of Oakland. Despite Tuesday’s news that the Raiders will be relocating to Las Vegas, the team will remain in Oakland for the next two seasons.

Carroll addressed the rumors during the NFL owners’ annual meetings Wednesday and it appears he’s not convinced “Beast Mode” is leaning toward a comeback anytime soon.

“The mentality that it takes to play this game the way he plays the game, he has to really be invested and ready because he goes deep when he plays,” Carroll said. “And whether or not that’s still in him, the burn is still there, I couldn’t tell that from talking to him.”

But that doesn’t mean Lynch isn’t thinking about a return.

“I know that he’s somewhat entertaining the thought of it,” Carroll said. “I can’t tell you how strong it is. You’ve got to talk to him, and that chance ain’t happening.”

Take it however you’d like, but Carroll also acknowledged that Lynch, who is on the Seahawks’ reserve/retired list, did not ask for reinstatement during a casual meeting 10 days ago.

If hypothetically Lynch decided to come out of retirement, it’s not an easy process. He would first have to ask the NFL to be reinstated and later return to the team’s roster. The Seahawks would retain rights under the terms of his previous contract, which in this case, still has two years remaining on it.

To go to the Raiders or any other team, Lynch would have to ask the Seahawks to release or trade him, and he hasn’t done that . . . yet.

Surely, the idea of Lynch coming out of retirement would entice teams across the league. In his nine seasons in the NFL, Lynch rushed for 9,112 yards and 74 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times and helped lead Seattle to its first Super Bowl victory after the 2013 season.

When Carroll was asked how would approach the news of a Lynch comeback, his answer, like much of the discussion behind the rumors, was jumbled.

“I don’t know. I don’t know,” Carroll said. “We’ll talk about that if the time comes.”